Family and friends are mourning the loss of a former Andrews High School basketball star.

David Wall, 35, of High Point, died after complications from a sudden health condition.

His mother, Gertrude, described him as a loving, caring and thoughtful person who never met a stranger. To her, he will forever be known as her little Michael Jordan.

“He loved people. He was always doing and caring for someone,” she said. “He loved basketball and always played. He played at Andrews, Southern Mississippi and even played overseas. If he could do anything for anybody, he would do it.”

An emotional Gertrude said what she will miss most about her son is him keeping tabs on her.

“I am going to miss him saying, ‘Hey Mama,’ ” she said. “He is the type of child that, no matter where I’m at, he would be looking for his mama.”According to his mother, Wall had always been an active child. He played youth football with the Brentwood Broncos when he was younger before going on to play basketball.

He was a part of the winning Andrews 1994-95 basketball team that won the state championship. He was named state MVP his junior year after that win. Cory Dawkins, a former teammate, said Wall always encouraged the team, and him especially.

“He was a great person to be around. His encouraging words helped me decide to play,” Dawkins said. “He helped me become a better player and helped me understand that I could achieve anything if I just went for it. We would be down 15 points in the game, and he would tell us we were still in it. He even encouraged the guys on the bench.”

Wall went on to play for Southern Mississippi as a forward and guard. There he was known for his 3-point shots and averaging a high score per game. In 2000, he was USA all-conference second team and USA all-conference third team in 2001.

Keith Hunt, Wall’s older brother, said his brother was a family man and always showed him a good time.

“I am going to miss him being just being him. It was always fun to be around him,” Hunt said. “He was always outgoing and did anything he could for you. When I was with him, there was never a dull moment. You won’t find too many people like David.”

Wall also is remembered as a mentor to young athletes in the area. According to friends and family, Wall often was involved in basketball camps, mentoring at his former high school, and was a positive influence on rising basketball stars.

Guilford County Board of Education member Ed Price said he remembers Wall always having a smile on his face and mentoring younger athletes.

“I was coaching a 10-and-under AAU team, and he and his buddies would come to every one of the practices to work with the children,” Price said. “He impacted a lot of people in this town.”

Price said Wall, and his commitment to his community, will be greatly missed.

“He had a spirit for life and everybody loved him,” Price said. “He had that charisma that attracted people to him. He had the biggest heart and just loved being around people.”